Since the coronavirus became a pandemic, Nefesh B’Nefesh has seen a 50% increase in applications for immigration to Israel compared to last year. The Jewish Agency expects a 30% increase worldwide in people making Aliyah due to the virus. Though this may be a legitimate case to move, what are some other reasons why we should make Aliyah?

Everyday is an Adventure

You’ll never be bored in Israel! The land is rich with so much history. There are always new places to explore and discover. From Hi-Tech Tel Aviv startups to an ancient mikvah ruin in Migdal Oz, the possibilities are endless. Visit one of Israel’s award winning wineries in the north, or a very special chocolate factory near the holy city of Chevron. Paddle the Jordan river, ski down Har Hermon, set up camp by the dead sea, or ride an ATV throughout Israel (careful of the rocks). Sit in on a lecture at a yeshiva, shop in Jerusalem’s iconic Machane Yehuda market. Appreciate art in the mystical city of Tzfat, swim with dolphins in Eilat, watch the stars at night in the desert. Or just sit in a cafe and strike up conversation with a stranger. You could spend a lifetime in this tiny country, and still have yet to experience everything it has to offer!

Diverse Culture

Every year Israel is visited by many tourists from all over the world. But the Israeli population itself is extraordinarily diverse. While about 75% of the population is Jewish, many of these Jews are descended from holocaust survivors from Europe, have been expelled from Arab countries following the War of Independence, and are refugees from Ethiopia and the former USSR. About 20% of the population is Arab Muslim, while the rest include Christians, Bedouins, Druze, and Circassians. This diversity results in a remarkably vibrant and colorful culture difficult to find elsewhere.

Breathtaking Views

I mean, enough said 😍 

Foodie’s Paradise

A result of Israel’s diverse culture is an incredible national palate. Full of fresh and mouth-watering flavors originating from all over the world, Israeli cuisine is a delectable fusion of foods. Tel Aviv is also the vegan capital of the world, and it’s easy to see why:

Ease of Living as a Jew

Living in the Jewish state means the national holidays are YOUR holidays. There’s nothing like walking around Jerusalem during Sukkot, and seeing a sukkah around every corner. Or attending a Tisha B’Av service at the Kotel. Or having kosher restaurants open during Pesach. You won’t have to ask off from work during shabbat or the chagim.

Another aspect of living in Israel is to be randomly selected to complete a minyan, be asked if you’ve put on tefillin, and hear Jewish music played throughout the street. There’s also usually a shul within a five minute walk from your house.

There’s a saying that goes, “if you want your children/grandchildren to be Jewish, move to Israel.” With the outrageous cost of private Jewish education it’s a huge relief to know that religious schools in Israel are very affordable. As children, we feel an intense need to fit in, resulting in assimilation. Couple this with the rise of intermarriage, and the Diaspora Jew is slowly disappearing. Entire generations are being lost. The only future for the Jewish people is in Israel.

An Army for Defense

Antisemitism is growing all over the world. In the Netherlands alone, the CIDI found an increase of 35% of antisemitic incidents. A report by The Kantor Center for the Study of European Jewry establishes that violent antisemitic attacks worldwide increased 18% in 2019. In America, Jews in New York were violently assaulted almost every day of Chanukah. The ADL found a 12% increase in antisemitic incidents in 2019, with assaults having increased a whopping 56% compared to 2018. So what is the appropriate response to all of this?

History has taught us time and again that foreign governments will ultimately fail to keep us safe (even IF they try). One police officer standing in front of one entrance of a synagogue isn’t going to cut it. Some states allow people to carry guns for protection, but in reality even arming ourselves as private citizens isn’t enough. What’s needed is an entire army whose sole mission is to protect us. Who never sleeps, and trains relentlessly for our defense. Israel isn’t 100% safe, but neither is anywhere else in the world. You can sleep easier knowing that everyone looks out for each other here and the soldiers will always watch your back.

Meet Your Soulmate

Living in the Diaspora can make it difficult to find a spouse. With over 868,000 women and over 906,000 men between the ages of 18-32 as of May 12, 2020, this is not as much of a problem in Israel. Intermarriage is also on the rise in America. Between 2005 and 2013, 58% of Jewish marriages were to non-Jews. While as of yet there isn’t more recent data on rates of Jewish intermarriage, it is safe to assume this number has only gotten higher.

Statistics aside, Israel is the ultimate place to fall in love. Her spiritual atmosphere, romantic views, delicious food, and endless options for date activities all contribute to ensuring the next generation of our people 😉

Free Education

As a new immigrant, Israel will provide free tuition for students starting their studies at public universities within 36 months of their Aliyah date. Applicants must be under the age of 27 to earn a Bachelor’s degree or under 30 years to earn a Master’s. Though most of the public university programs are not offered in English, there are a lot of English programs available at private universities. Because these are more expensive, the Israeli government will subsidize the tuition, but not cover it in full. Learn more here.

Financial Assistance for First Six Months

New immigrants to Israel receive bi-monthly stipends called Sal Klita in order to help offset the financial burden of Aliyah. The exact amount is determined by whether you’re single, married, have children, the ages of your children, or if you’re a retiree. The Jewish Agency provides a useful chart here.

Connection to God

The most important reason to live in Israel is because we are commanded to in the Torah. Sefer Bamidbar says “הוֹרַשְׁ תֶּם אֶת הָאָרֶץ וִישַׁ בְתֶּם בָּהּ כִּי לָכֶם נָתַ תִּי אֶת הָאָרֶץ לָרֶשֶׁ ת אֹתָה” meaning that we shall dwell in the land because Hashem gave it to us. The land of Israel, and Jerusalem in particular, is where Hashem rests his presence. It is the land of our forefathers, and where they are buried. Where B”H the Beit HaMikdash will soon stand. Our blood and our soul yearns to be in the land, and the land itself calls for our return. The truth is we will never be able to rest, never feel at peace, until the day we return home. And it is time to come home.

Make sure you are eligible for Aliyah:

All Jews are eligible to make Aliyah under the Law of Return. You will need to provide documentation proving your status to both Nefesh B’Nefesh and the Jewish Agency. This is usually just a letter from your rabbi attesting to your Jewishness. If you converted to Judaism, you are eligible for Aliyah whether you had a Reform, Conservative, or Orthodox conversion. You will need to provide proof of your conversion as well, so be sure to have your original conversion documents. Note that this means you are eligible for Aliyah, not that you will necessarily be considered Jewish in Israel. The Israeli Rabbinate only recognizes Orthodox conversions from a select number of Diaspora rabbis. If you had a non-orthodox conversion, or your Orthodox rabbi is not on the approved list, you may have to go through another conversion process in Israel if you want to live as part of a religious community or marry another Jew within Israel. In addition to this, a non-Jew may make Aliyah if they have a Jewish spouse, parent, or grandparent.

Complete your Aliyah Application through Nefesh B’Nefesh (if you live in the US, Canada, or the UK):

This is actually a fairly quick and easy step to finish. Make an account with Nefesh B’Nefesh and browse through some of the questions on the application. The more family members on the application the longer the process will take, but all in all the website is very user friendly and simple to complete.

Speak with Nefesh B’Nefesh advisers through online meetings, and attend the informative webinars offered on the site for free:

Nefesh B’Nefesh advisers are extremely knowledgeable and experienced in helping people make Aliyah. As your Aliyah date approaches, they increasingly reach out to see where you are in the process and are available for any assistance you’ll need. There’s also an archive on their website filled with several hours of recorded webinars. These range over all kinds of topics, from finding a place to live and budgeting to healthcare and leasing a car.

Make a pilot trip (or several) to Israel. Get a feel of the different communities to help you figure out where you want to live:

I cannot stress enough the importance of making a pilot trip to Israel. If you are financially able to make a pilot trip before Aliyah- do it. If you cannot afford a pilot trip, reach out to Nefesh B’Nefesh and they MAY be able to help you find a way to get a subsidized trip. This is not a guarantee though. Pilot trips are essential for understanding where you are moving to, the culture, researching job opportunities, and schools for your children. I recently took my parents on their first pilot trip to Israel. More on that trip in another post. But making Aliyah without a pilot trip is like moving blind and should be avoided if at all possible.

Meet with the Jewish Agency:

You will need to bring your original documents in order for them to verify you are eligible for Aliyah. If you don’t live in the US, Canada, or the UK you will start your Aliyah process by contacting the Jewish Agency. Once you are approved by the Jewish Agency, you are in effect approved for Aliyah.

Set a date for Aliyah, and start packing!

I have a dog. Actually he belongs to my brother, but he acts like a family dog. His name is Romeo, and just as his name suggests he is extremely loving and affectionate. We could not imagine making Aliyah without him, he is as much a member of our family as any of us. It’s no surprise then, that he will be a part of our Aliyah story. In preparation for this, I researched what it will take to bring him with us.

Luckily bringing your pet with you to Israel no longer means having to leave it in quarantine for a period of time. As long as all of the conditions are met prior to your Aliyah, moving across the globe with your pet should be relatively simple.

Common types of pets such as cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, and gerbils are allowed, with the approval of the Misrad Hachaklaut (Ministry of Agriculture). More exotic pets must also be cleared by Reshut Hateva V’haganim (Nature Reserves Authority- for pets considered wildlife).

According to NBN, dogs that unfortunately are not allowed entry into Israel include: the Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier (Amstaff), Bull Terrier, Fila Brazileiro, Staffordshire Bull Terrier (English staff),  Tosa  Inu  (Japanese  Tosa),  Rottweiler  and  the Argentinian Dogo.

You’ll need to make sure your pet is up to date on all of their immunizations and titers. They may also need to be micro-chipped (for dogs, cats, and certain other types of animals). The chip Israel requires isn’t usually used in the United States, so you’ll have to have your veterinarian special order them.

The last items you’ll need to get approval are a health certificate completed by a licensed veterinarian and an endorsement of the health certificate. The latter will need to be signed by a USDA Veterinary Services Officer.

The final hurdle in your pet’s Aliyah process will be El Al’s requirements for boarding the flight. There is a pet fee based on the size and weight of your pet and it’s carrier. Any pet weighing over 8 kg (including their carrier) cannot fly with you in the cabin. There is a special temperature controlled cargo hold for pets, just verify with the pilot that the temperature control is in fact switched on prior to take-off. Whether your pet is flying in cabin or in cargo, there are set dimensions for their carrier that must be in accordance. You’ll want to be very clear on all of the rules when it comes to travelling with a pet. I recommend speaking with an El Al representative or reading from their website.

Competency in the Hebrew language is the single most important skill you can acquire before making Aliyah. Does this mean that Aliyah is off the table if you don’t speak a word of Hebrew? No, it is fairly simple to get by day to day living in English, especially as a tourist or student. But for those making Aliyah consider this: what happens when you receive your electric bill, your army draft notice, or your lab results from your doctor all in Hebrew? How do you sign a rental contract for an apartment when you don’t understand what’s in the fine print? In some of these cases it helps to have a friend translate, in others it’s better to have a lawyer deal with any legal issues. Nevertheless, for any non-legal issues it is important to try to be as independent as possible. There are several ways to learn Hebrew, both before and after Aliyah:

1. Find a Tutor- Learning from an Israeli tutor is an invaluable resource. If you have the basics down, start focusing on advancing your conversational Hebrew. It’s one thing to understand Hebrew when reading or hearing it. It’s quite another to be able to speak back in Hebrew, even more so using more advanced vocabulary. Challenge yourself to start speaking with an Israeli dialect, and to have as little of an accent as possible. If you do not have access to a tutor locally, try reaching out on some of the Facebook groups. Many people run a business tutoring people online through Skype, FaceTime, and Whatsapp.
2. Online Language Learning Programs- After having a tutor, the next best thing for beginners is to learn through online programs. Some examples of these are Rosetta Stone, Duolingo, and HebrewPod101. I would recommend Rosetta Stone only for those just learning their letters and first few words. Duolingo and HebrewPod101 are a better choice for a long term investment, as they also teach more advanced vocabulary and sentence structures.
3. Translate Israeli News Articles- Once you know the basics of Hebrew, you can begin to build your vocabulary by translating news articles from Hebrew to English. This process is long and often tedious, but it is effective.
4. Watch Israeli Movies/TV Shows- You’ll hear Hebrew spoken more naturally in conversation, and it’ll be a challenge to keep up with the speed at which the actors are speaking! Another thing to try: listening to Israeli music.
5. Take Advantage of Ulpan- Ulpan is an intensive Hebrew learning program offered to olim for free up to five months. You will be tested for your baseline, and then sorted into a class based on your proficiency. There are many different kind of ulpanim spread throughout the country, and each one offers something a little different to stand out from the rest. It is important to do your research into which ulpan will be right for you. Some things to consider are location, hours per day/week, and the target student population.
6. Talk to Israelis on the Street- even when they want to practice their English upon hearing your accent, insist on conversing in Hebrew. This will also increase your vocabulary and usage of Hebrew slang terms. Here you will learn how to speak more like a local using the common vernacular versus the grammatically proper speech taught in ulpan.

Travelling around Israel can be a little tricky. Luckily, many of the street signs are in three languages (Hebrew, Arabic, and English) so you can easily find your way around.

Car: You can easily rent a car with your driver’s license from your home country. If you have made Aliyah, you’ll eventually need to get an Israeli driver’s license. If you have been licensed for at least five years, you will not even need to take the driving exam. Pros for driving: Freedom and flexibility to go anywhere in Israel, it is faster than taking a bus, and probably cheaper than using a taxi. Cons: Finding parking in the big cities, steep gasoline prices, driving in Israel (To say driving on the roads in Israel is dangerous would be an understatement), and if you’re not familiar with the area you may accidentally wander into an Arab village.

Bus: Israel has a very well-developed public bus system in most parts of the country.. In the main cities, most of the waiting times are between 5-20 minutes until the next bus. Moovit is on the app store, and it is essential to have in order to plan your route and find your stop when using the buses. The only con to using this app is you may have to type your destination in Hebrew on occasion. If you are unable to do this, Google Maps is a great alternative. Pro tip: if you switch buses in Jerusalem within 90 minutes of first using your Rav Kav (bus pass), each following bus is free. Just be sure to swipe your Rav Kav each time you get on the bus for validation. I’m not sure if the 90 minute rule applies to anywhere else in Israel, but I know it does exist in Jerusalem.

Taxi: You can take a taxi in Israel, though it is very expensive. It’s also a bit of a gamble unless you know the driver is trustworthy. If you use a taxi, try to make sure there are other passengers in the car with you. If they realize you’re a tourist, very often they will try to overcharge you. Insist on having the meter running, even if they claim it’s broken. Have an agreed upon price before you start your journey. Pros: Almost the same flexibility and freedom as renting a car, you don’t need to worry about parking, and you’ll have someone to talk to during a long journey. Cons: They will try to swindle you, and it can be a bit of a safety risk.

Tremp: Otherwise known as hitchhiking is something a lot of Israelis engage in. There are Facebook groups dedicated to tremping from city to city. This is a very dangerous method of travelling in Israel, and not recommended for people new to the land and the culture. Unfortunately some areas of Israel are not very developed, and this means there isn’t public transportation available. So those who don’t have a car have to either carpool or tremp to get where they need to go.

Light Rail: The method of using the light rail system in Israel is very similar to using Israeli buses. The 90 minute Rav Kav rule also applies here. Pros: Travel a lot faster, can also use Moovit. Cons: Sometimes crowded, especially Thursday evenings.

Train: You’ll need to buy a ticket from the train station. This can either be loaded onto your Rav Kav, or printed as a paper ticket. Pros: Don’t have to drive, faster during traffic time. Cons: Not as many different places you can travel to using this method of transportation.

Airplane: There are three airports in Israel that are available for use: Ben Gurion near Tel Aviv, Ramon near Eilat, and the Haifa airport. Ben Gurion is the main international airport, and any flights that need to be redirected are sent to the Ramon airport. Getting to Eilat can be a four hour drive each way from Jerusalem, so while expensive it may be worthwhile to get a ticket from Tel Aviv and fly into Ramon if you’re planning a day trip.